Bill Greenwood
07-13-2015, 10:12 PM
I am looking at a story of a Douglas C-47 owned by the CAF which has been found to be the very one that lead the invasion on D day, and is being restored.
One of my favorite veterans groups was the paratroopers from D day, may have been 82nd, and 101Airborne, I am not sure.
But some years ago, maybe 2004, 60 years on, there were big celebrations at Normandy to honor those who had taken part in the invasion that began the end of the war in Europe.
There were a group of dozens of men who had parachuted into France that morning behind the beaches and into enemy held territory.
They wanted to recreate that jump. At first our government was going to help, and even supply a C-130 as the jump plane over Normandy.
Then some pansy bureaucrats and lawyers got involved and queered the deal. You would think the Pres would step in and see that these men got the help they had earned so many years before. But the naysayers said the men were too old, ( some were in 70s, maybe even 80). So no C-130 plane, no American govt help for some of our best men.
These old guys didn't quit, they told the U S to kiss butt, and they were going anyway. They found a civilian C-47 to drop them and on June 6 th they jumped as before, including with the old style round chutes. They knew the risks, but this was what they wanted and they made it, only a minor sprain or scratch or two.
And thanks to the French govt who did not yield to pressure from the U S and helped these men.
Lots of people can talk a good game, these guys did it and twice. One said it was a lot easier now than the first time with no one shooting at them now.
One man said he was nearing the end of life and the Normandy landing was the most significant thing he had ever done and he wanted to honor it and those that weren't here any longer with this last jump.
One of my favorite veterans groups was the paratroopers from D day, may have been 82nd, and 101Airborne, I am not sure.
But some years ago, maybe 2004, 60 years on, there were big celebrations at Normandy to honor those who had taken part in the invasion that began the end of the war in Europe.
There were a group of dozens of men who had parachuted into France that morning behind the beaches and into enemy held territory.
They wanted to recreate that jump. At first our government was going to help, and even supply a C-130 as the jump plane over Normandy.
Then some pansy bureaucrats and lawyers got involved and queered the deal. You would think the Pres would step in and see that these men got the help they had earned so many years before. But the naysayers said the men were too old, ( some were in 70s, maybe even 80). So no C-130 plane, no American govt help for some of our best men.
These old guys didn't quit, they told the U S to kiss butt, and they were going anyway. They found a civilian C-47 to drop them and on June 6 th they jumped as before, including with the old style round chutes. They knew the risks, but this was what they wanted and they made it, only a minor sprain or scratch or two.
And thanks to the French govt who did not yield to pressure from the U S and helped these men.
Lots of people can talk a good game, these guys did it and twice. One said it was a lot easier now than the first time with no one shooting at them now.
One man said he was nearing the end of life and the Normandy landing was the most significant thing he had ever done and he wanted to honor it and those that weren't here any longer with this last jump.